Nicodemos of the Holy Mountain: A Handbook of Spiritual Counsel (Biblia.com)

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Nicodemos (1749–1809), a monk of Saint Athos dedicated to asceticism and learning, was one of the most influential Orthodox writers of the last two centuries. His Handbook, written during the Age of Enlightenment in Europe, shares an exalted vision of human nature, but a vision that proceeds from the truths of revelation as interpreted by the Greek fathers, not Descartes.

for the rational to rule over the irrational, and the better to rule over the worse, and to subdue the latter’s instinctive moves. This is why when the body has a desire, it does not directly rush into action to satisfy the desire, but is obstructed by the hegemonious mind. These are the words of St. John Damascene: “The irrational creatures are not autonomous; they do not lead but rather are led by nature. This is why they do not object to physical desire, but rush to action just as soon as they

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